What type of offering are you giving to the Lord? Is it something of value to Him? If Jesus was with You would He respect it? As we read about the offerings of Cain and Abel we can see that they were quite different in nature. Abel brought forth “the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering”. This offering was significant for it was a symbol of God’s offering to the world, His Son as a blood sacrifice for our sins. What Abel did was also out of the goodness of his heart. Cain’s heart was not in the right place when he offered “the fruit of the ground” as an “offering unto the Lord”. Therefore his offering wasn’t accepted. For this Cain was angry and his countenance fell. The Lord could see his heart and therefore counseled him “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.” God knew that His desires were to do evil in His sight, therefore He counseled Him to do good and to fight the temptation to do evil. He also made it known that we have the power to escape sin and even rule over it. It is how we get to the point of ruling over it, is what we will discuss next.
When we walk worthy in the sight of God we are able to wield off the fiery darts of the evil one. Temptation has no power over us for the Lord is with us. We have accepted the Lord’s sacrifice for our sins and are grateful for His mercy. In prayer we are renewed daily through the blood of Jesus. I pray for those that haven’t given the Lord there whole hearts yet. Those that have only given a part of their lives to Him. Your offering isn’t yet respected in the eyes of God but He is still waiting for them. Sin will continue to rage battle in their souls if Jesus isn’t in their heart. He has power to tame the wickedness in their hearts and cut down the chains that have them bound. All that He expects of us is to come to Him with all our hearts. He will do the rest. The Holy Spirit will overflow within our souls and raise us up to newness of life. His love will carry us forth and give us hope. Oh Lord, I offer up my whole soul to You this day. I give You my heart that You might cleanse it from all sin. I give You my mind that You might cleanse it from all wicked thoughts. I give you my eyes that I might see people with love and respect. You are my shield when temptation strikes. I am safe in Your arms. I love You.
Genesis 4:1-8 (KJV)
1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.
2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.
4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
Artist: Hillsong United
Album: I Heart Revolution: With Hearts As One (2008)
Song: Nothing But The Blood